As an employer, you should assess your manpower needs carefully and make a considered decision whether you need your Malaysian workers to remain in Singapore before the MCO takes effect. If you need the workers, you can encourage your workers to stay in Singapore and can refer to MOM’s 17 March 2020 press release for the range of options to accommodate these workers.
For workers who do not stay in Singapore and cannot commute here for work, you can place them on no-pay leave. Alternative leave arrangements will be by mutual consent.
Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA)
For Singapore citizens, PRs and Malaysian citizens, please refer to the FAQs on PCA. You can also email COVID_SafeTravelEnquiries@mti.gov.sg if you have feedback or queries regarding PCA.
As an employer, you should evaluate the risks and make a considered decision on whether to proceed with work-related travel plans. Alternatives, such as video conferencing or postponing the trip, should be considered.
You should also refer to the MOH guidelines on MOH’s website on the latest travel advisory and the measures that apply to inbound travellers.
If you decide to proceed with work-related travel plans, you must bear the costs of entry requirements into Singapore and cannot pass any of the cost to your employees. You should also provide additional paid leave to cover the SHN period on top of your employees’ leave entitlements.
For employees whose work is performed overseas, you should ensure that your employees are adequately protected or monitored in accordance to MOH’s guidelines.
If your employee rejects the work trip due to public health concerns, you should not penalise those who reject the work trip due to safety and health concerns.
Employees should refer to MOH guidelines on MOH’s website on the latest travel advisory and the measures that apply to inbound travellers.
They should discuss with their employers to come to a mutual agreement on the leave arrangement for the SHN period and how to share the costs of entry requirements.
Employers and employees should adhere to the prevailing travel advisory on MOH’s website.
Employees who travel for personal reasons need to comply with all the entry and exit requirements imposed by the countries or regions they intend to travel to, as well as the prevailing requirements for returning to Singapore.
For personal travel out of Singapore, employees and employers should mutually agree on who bears or how to share the costs of return to Singapore, including costs of serving SHN at a dedicated facility and swab tests. You should also set out clearly and inform your employees of the leave arrangements for SHN upon return to Singapore.
You don’t need to impose any additional requirements on your employees who travel overseas beyond what is required by the Government. However, if you impose additional requirements to ask your employees to stay away from the workplace, you should facilitate work from home arrangements for your employees or to provide them with additional leave.
Employees who test positive for COVID-19 will be entitled to paid sick leave during treatment, up to the contractual or Employment Act limits. For employees who have used up their paid hospitalisation leave, you should exercise compassion and flexibility by granting additional paid hospitalisation leave. Otherwise, you can place your employees on no-pay leave.
Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents who complied with MOH’s travel advisories will be eligible for government subsidies, and Medishield Life and Integrated Shield Plan coverage for their COVID-19 treatment if they show symptoms within 14 days of their return to Singapore and require hospital admission for suspected COVID-19 infection.
For S Pass and Work Permit holders, you are responsible for any COVID-19 treatment costs as they are your responsibilities under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act.
For all other passes, employers and employees should come to a mutual agreement on who should pay or how to share the costs of COVID-19 treatment.